Canadians Deliver on Day 1 - Delta Lloyd Regatta

by Canadian Yachting Association on 26 May 2011 The next stop on the World Cup circuit started yesterday in Holland. With projections of over 1000 competitors from 60+ countries continues to demonstrate the attraction of this World Cup stop. Starting in 1985 and affectionately known as the SPA regatta for those of us who have been around for a while, this European stop has often been a highlight of the early season schedule. Situated on the Ijsselmeer this event invariably brings an array of conditions including some of the most challenging the athletes will face. The shallow nature of the Ijsselmeer creates a steep and difficult chop when the wind freshens which it is known to do as often as not.

Canada is well represented in Holland with competitors in all of the Olympic classes less the RSX Women, and the Paralympic classes (who are in Weymouth prepping for Sail for Gold). The Laser fleet is our largest contingent with 9 competitors followed by the Radial class with 5. All eyes will be on Richard Clarke and Tyler Bjorn over the next 3 weeks as they make their season debut on the European circuit in the Star class. The Delta Lloyd event will serve as a quality tune up to the Sail for Gold event hosted in early June out of the Olympic site in Weymouth. Other notable performers from within the Canadian squad include David Wright and Lee Parkhill in the Laser who have shown decent early season form, Zac Plavsic in the men’s RSX, and Lisa Ross in the Radial amongst others looking to make their mark on the circuit.

Racing began Tuesday and extends through the 29th, when the Medal races for the majority of the classes will be hosted. As always the organisers in Medemblik looks prepared to deliver a quality event. Full details including results, photos and on-line tracking can be followed on the event web site at www.deltalloydregatta.org .

After the first day, Medemblik delivered solid conditions (read 18-23 knots) and steep waves, and all fleets were treated to some full on sailing. Opportunities were plentiful with a good range of direction and velocity changes presenting many passing lanes. Our Canadians also managed to deliver some stellar results on the first day of racing. The top performers on the day included; 49er team Gordon Cook and Hunter Lowden sitting in second overall with a 6-8-3 on the day while Billy Gooderham and Ian Hogan sit in eighth; Clarke and Bjorn, after long delays on shore put in some good work with a 5 - 2, sitting third overall; Greg Douglas lit things up in the Finn class placing 4-5 for the day to sit third ; Zac Plavsic with a 6 – 3 placing him fifth in the RSX class, David Wright with a 10-13 leads the Canadian Lasers and sits 20th ; Claire Merry was the top Radial performer with a 23-20 and sits 22nd.